Michael Patrick King (creator/exec producer) and Lisa Kudrow (co-creator/star/exec producer) of HBO's The Comeback

The Comeback - July Episode Guide

Episode #5: "Valerie Demands Dignity"
Debut date: Sunday, July 10, 2005 at 9:30 p.m.
Other HBO playdates: July 11 (10:00 p.m.), 13 (10:30 p.m.), 14 (11:30 p.m.) and 29 (8:30 p.m.)
HBO2 playdates: July 10 (1:30 a.m.) and 16 (11:00 p.m.)
Valerie (Lisa Kudrow) worries that her comeback storyline isn't "enough," as the network tries to spice up her reality show by cross-breeding it with another one, and by pulling a highway prank that nearly sabotages Valerie's lunch with a TV Guide editor; at home, Mark (Damian Young) is increasingly frustrated by the restraints the ubiquitous cameras have imposed on their sex life.

Written by Linda Wallem; directed by Greg Mottola.

Episode #6: "Valerie Saves the Show"
Debut date: Sunday, July 17, 2005 at 9:30 p.m.
Other HBO playdates: July 18 (10:00 p.m.), 20 (10:30 p.m.), 21 (11:30 p.m.) and 29 (9:00 p.m.)
HBO2 playdates: July 17 (1:30 a.m.) and 23 (11:00 p.m.)
With the cast in a funk after a lackluster premiere, Valerie tries to boost morale with a late-night cookie delivery that gives new meaning to her trademark line, "I don't want to see that!"; Mickey (Robert Michael Morris) accuses Valerie of sharing details about his private life with Juna (Malin Akerman); and Valerie tries to persuade Shayne (Kimberly Kevon Williams) to see her reality show in a different "light."

Written by Michael Schur; directed by Greg Mottola.

Episode #7: "Valerie Gets a Very Special Episode"
Debut date: Sunday, July 24, 2005 at 9:30 p.m.
Other HBO playdates: July 25 (10:00 p.m.), 27 (10:30 p.m.), 28 (11:30 p.m.) and 29 (9:30 p.m.)
HBO2 playdates: July 24 (1:30 a.m.) and 30 (11:00 p.m.)
Excited about a "Room and Bored" episode dedicated to her character, Valerie pulls some strings to get a "name" actor to play Aunt Sassy's romantic interest; and Mark's behavior at the Viper Room brings to light intimacy issues that are ultimately too hot for the camera.

Written by John Riggi; directed by Michael Lehmann.

Episode #8: "Valerie Relaxes in Palm Springs"
Debut date: Sunday, July 31, 2005 at 9:30 p.m.
Other HBO playdates: Aug. 1 (10:00 p.m.), 3 (10:30 p.m.), 4 (11:30 p.m.) and 25 (9:00 p.m.)
HBO2 playdate: July 31 (1:30 a.m.)
Valerie and Mark head to the desert for a long weekend at a Palm Springs resort, with strings attached; and while Mark draws the line with Jane's (Laura Silverman) crew on the golf course, Valerie finds a new mentor in an old acquaintance.

Written by Linda Wallem and Michael Patrick King; directed by Michael Lehmann.

The Comeback is created by Michael Patrick King and Lisa Kudrow; executive produced by Michael Patrick King, Lisa Kudrow, John Melfi and Dan Bucatinsky; co-executive producers, Linda Wallem and John Riggi; producer, Denis Biggs; producer, Amy Harris; co-producer, Mike Schur; casting, Liberman/Patton Casting. The Comeback is an HBO Entertainment Production in association with Working Class, Is Or Isn't Entertainment and Warner Bros. Television.